Elections 2012: John Raese Is Back For A Rematch Against Joe Manchin

The Republican businessman that ran against Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) in 2010 for the Senate seat formerly occupied by the late Robert Byrd has filed to take on the incumbent senator again in 2012.

Raese lost to Manchin by a 10-point margin, but not before attracting national attention for looking like he might actually win as a Republican in a safely Democratic state. Raese campaigned on Tea Party principles, but Manchin was ultimately successful at distancing himself from President Obama enough to win some of the more conservative vote.

"I call it unfinished business," Raese told the Charleston Daily Mail Thursday. Raese criticized Manchin for voting with Obama more than 85 percent of the time. "Last time, I called him a rubber-stamp, and he didn't let me down," he said.

Bill Nelson's War Chest

Incumbent Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) is raising a lot of money, but isn't spending it. Nelson has accumulated about $8.5 million in campaign funds -- including the $1.4 million from the recent fourth quarter.

One of the sole Democratic legislators in the Sunshine State, Nelson faces a tough reelection bid. On the Republican side, Rep. Connie Mack IV holds a wide lead against his primary opponents. Former Sen. George LeMieux, slipping in the polls, slammed Mack on Thursday, saying the senate seat "is not a crown to pass from father to son." Mack is the son of former Rep. Connick Mack III.

Party Switcher To Run Again

Remember Parker Griffith? He's the former Alabama congressman who switched parties from Democrat to Republican in the middle of his term, only to be defeated in the 2010 GOP primary.

Dave Spence, Republican candidate for governor in Missouri, said he earned a degree in economics. The University of Missouri has revealed it's actually a degree in home economics, more specifically family economics and management or consumer economics. Read more at STLToday.

Former Exec To Run For Congress

Former Microsoft executive Suzan DelBene (D) announced she will run for congress in Washington state's District 1. Roll Call has more.

Speculation Over Nelson Seat Continues

Speculation continues over whether former Gov. Bob Kerrey (D) will run for the U.S. Senate seat in Nebraska being vacated by retiring Sen. Ben Nelson (D). Nebraska Watchdog posted this exclusive video (below), in which Kerrey says the Crossroads GPS attack ad against him made him laugh, and claims he'll announce his decision next week.